you're 5 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 0.2 cm (0.08") · 0.1 g (0.00 oz)
At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 0.2 cm and 0.1 g — Tiny but mighty — your baby's tube-like heart is beating for the first time, even though you can't feel it yet.
about the size of a…
Tiny but mighty — your baby's tube-like heart is beating for the first time, even though you can't feel it yet.
this week's highlights
- First heartbeats
- Neural tube closes
- Blood vessels form
- Hormones surge in you
how your baby looks
A curved C-shape with a distinct head end and tail end. The heart is a tiny pulsing tube, visible on a high-resolution ultrasound by the end of next week.
body in focus
- head
- Neural tube closes — the foundation of the brain and spinal cord is in place.
- body
- The heart tube starts pulsing — the very first heartbeats.
- hands
- feet
what's happening in your body
HCG is climbing quickly. Many people feel breast tenderness, fatigue, food aversions, or a metallic taste in the mouth. Early nausea can start anytime now.
symptoms at 5 weeks
- Early nausea
- Rising hCG can bring waves of queasiness at any time of day, not just the morning. For many people this week is where it quietly begins.
- Frequent urination
- Increased blood flow to the kidneys means more trips to the loo, even before the uterus is big enough to press on the bladder. It is an early sign that surprises many people.
- Mood swings
- Hormone levels are climbing faster than at almost any other time in your life, and tears or irritability over small things are common. It settles for most people as the first trimester progresses.
- Metallic taste
- A strange coppery taste in the mouth, called dysgeusia, is a peculiar but harmless early symptom. Citrus, mints or brushing your tongue can dull it.
- Bloating and gas
- Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle throughout the digestive tract, slowing everything down. A bloated, full feeling this early is hormonal, not the baby.
- Cramping with bleeding — when to call
- Mild cramps alone are normal at 5 weeks, but cramping paired with red bleeding, or pain that is sharp and one-sided, should be assessed. Call your midwife or doctor the same day.
gentle tips
- Eat small frequent meals to keep nausea away.
- Sip water steadily — dehydration makes nausea worse.
- Take your prenatal vitamin at night with food if it upsets your stomach.
- Rest when you can — first-trimester fatigue is no joke.
- Avoid changing cat litter to reduce toxoplasmosis risk.
your week 5 checklist
- Book your first midwife (booking) appointment if you have not already — aim to have it by week 10
- Work out your estimated due date — 40 weeks from the first day of your last period
- Tell your doctor about any prescription medicines, including antidepressants — do not stop anything abruptly without advice
- Start a simple symptom note so you can answer questions accurately at your booking visit
what to expect next
Arm and leg buds appear next week, and the embryo starts to look more like a tiny shrimp than a disc.
common questions at week 5
How big is the baby at 5 weeks?
At 5 weeks, the baby measures about 0.2 cm and weighs approximately 0.1 g (0.2 cm (0.08") · 0.1 g (0.00 oz)).
What is developing at 5 weeks?
A curved C-shape with a distinct head end and tail end. Neural tube closes — the foundation of the brain and spinal cord is in place. Key milestones this week include: First heartbeats; Neural tube closes; Blood vessels form; Hormones surge in you.
What symptoms are common at 5 weeks pregnant?
HCG is climbing quickly. Many people feel breast tenderness, fatigue, food aversions, or a metallic taste in the mouth. Early nausea can start anytime now.
What should I do at 5 weeks pregnant?
Arm and leg buds appear next week, and the embryo starts to look more like a tiny shrimp than a disc. Eat small frequent meals to keep nausea away. Sip water steadily — dehydration makes nausea worse. Take your prenatal vitamin at night with food if it upsets your stomach.
Is cramping normal at 5 weeks pregnant?
Mild, period-like cramping is common at 5 weeks as the uterus grows and ligaments adjust, and on its own it is rarely a concern. The pattern to take seriously is cramping with red bleeding, or sharp pain concentrated on one side — call your midwife or doctor promptly if either occurs. When in doubt, it is always reasonable to ring and describe what you feel.
When will I see or hear a heartbeat?
Cardiac activity typically becomes detectable on a transvaginal ultrasound from about 6 weeks, though sometimes not until closer to 7. Scanning earlier than this often shows only a gestational sac, which can cause unnecessary worry. Most services deliberately schedule the first scan later so there is something clear to see.
Should I stop exercising now that I am pregnant?
No — if you exercised before pregnancy, it is generally safe and beneficial to continue at a similar level, adjusting intensity as your body asks. The exceptions are contact sports, activities with a fall risk, and scuba diving. If you were not active before, gentle walking or swimming is a good starting point; mention your plans at your booking appointment.
helpful tools
- Due Date Calculator
Find your estimated due date from your last period or conception date.
- Baby Names
Start exploring names — an early, joyful ritual.
Medically aligned with guidance from WHO, NHS and ACOG. How we write.